The new JD Wetherspoon £1m pub has opened at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield, creating 120 jobs (Picture: PA)

The country’s first pub at a motorway service station has opened for business, despite fierce criticism from road safety campaigners.

JD Wetherspoon has spent more than £1.1million on the Hope and Champion pub, which opened today at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

The RAC said putting a pub on a motorway was a ‘risky and frankly unnecessary move’, adding it was ‘at odds’ with public opinion.

It said a survey of 2,000 people showed that only 12 per cent supported putting pubs into motorway service stations.

‘We appreciate the vast majority of motorists drive responsibly and that alcohol is already available in shops at motorway services, but for many this decision seems to be at odds with common sense,’ said RAC’s head of external affairs Pete Williams.

‘The question we are struggling to answer is – of all the places to open a pub, why choose a motorway service station?

‘The temptation to drink and drive can only be increased by easier access to alcohol.’

Ellie Pearson of safety campaign group Brake, added: ‘The opening of a pub on a motorway is deeply concerning, and presents a potentially deadly temptation to drivers.

‘Drink driving remains one of the biggest killers on our road, causing devastation to families and communities every day.’

The Hope And Champion will be open from 4am to 1am, seven days a week, and will sell real ale from local and regional brewers as well as non-alcoholic and hot drinks.

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said there was a ‘minimal chance’ the pub’s opening would lead to drink-driving.

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Tom from Beaconsfield (left) buys the first pint from shift manager Derek at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Tom from Beaconsfield (left) buys the first pint from shift manager Derek at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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Brian Russell drinks at the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Brian Russell drinks at the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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Shift manager Derek at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Shift manager Derek at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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A view of the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

A view of the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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A view of the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

A view of the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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Tom from Beaconsfield (left) buys the first pint at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Tom from Beaconsfield (left) buys the first pint at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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A customer walks past a drink aware sign in The new JD Wetherspoon pub called the Hope and Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

A customer walks past a drink aware sign in The new JD Wetherspoon pub called the Hope and Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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Embargoed to 0001 Tuesday January 21 Undated handout photo issued by JD Wetherspoon of the exterior of the new JD Wetherspoon £1 million pub which will open at the Extra Motorway Service Area at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield station today, creating 120 jobs. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. The pub will sell real ale from local and regional brewers as well as hot drinks. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: JD Wetherspoon/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Embargoed to 0001 Tuesday January 21 Undated handout photo issued by JD Wetherspoon of the exterior of the new JD Wetherspoon £1 million pub which will open at the Extra Motorway Service Area at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield station today, creating 120 jobs. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. The pub will sell real ale from local and regional brewers as well as hot drinks. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: JD Wetherspoon/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

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Brian Russell drinks at the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Brian Russell drinks at the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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A customer drinks at the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

A customer drinks at the new JD Wetherspoon pub, the Hope And Champion, which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

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A customer receives his fried breakfast at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

A customer receives his fried breakfast at the new JD Wetherspoon pub called Hope And Champion which has opened at the M40 Services at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 21, 2014. See PA story INDUSTRY Wetherspoon. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire